Early Life

John Stinka was born on January 24, 1935, in Buchanan, Saskatchewan, and was the youngest of 12 children. His primary schooling was obtained at Dobranovetz School in Drobot, Sk., and he obtained his secondary education at the Yorkton Collegiate High School in Yorkton, Sk. After receiving his teaching certificate, he taught at the Hryhoriw Elementary School (near Preeceville, Sk.), and worked for 10 years in Saskatoon. He was active in the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Saskatoon, we he attended Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, as a member of the Cathedral Choir, and as a member of CYMK (Ukrainian Orthodox Youth).

Priesthood

In the fall of 1969, John Stinka enrolled in theological studies at St. Andrew's College in Winnipeg, which he successfully completed in 1972 with a Licentiate in Theology. He continued his studies at the University of Manitoba following his Licentiate in Theology.

On August 18th, 1973, he was ordained into the Holy Diaconate at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saskatoon by Archbishop Boris, and on the August 25th, 1974, in Holy Tranfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, Deacon John was ordained to the Priesthood, again ordained by Archbishop Boris. Fr. John's first assignement was to Moose Jaw, Sk., and during that time convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In August of 1978, Fr. John was transfered to Kamsack, Sk.

Throughout his pastorship, Fr. John was active in the Ukrainian Community, and the Orthodox Community. He was awarded the nabedrenyk in 1977, and his scufia in 1980.

Episcopacy

At the Extraordinary Sobor of the UOCC in 1983, Fr. John was elected Bishop, and was ordained to the Episcopacy on November 27th, 1983 at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, and installed as bishop of Saskatoon by His Beatitude Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk), His Eminence Archbishop Boris, and His Grace Bishop Wasyly (Fedak).

At the 17th Sobor, in 1985 in Winnipeg, Bishop John was appointed as Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Diocese, following the reposes of Archbishop Boris, and Metropolitan Andrew. In 1990 he was elevated to Archbishop.

Following the repose of Metropolitan Wasyly in 2005, Archbishop John became the acting primate, and at the 21st Sobor in Winnipeg in 2006 was elected Primate, and Metropolitan (and was approved by Constantinople on November 20th, 2005).

His Eminence will be enthroned on Sunday, July 23rd, 2006, at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.